In 2011, the members of the 17-0 1972 Dolphins had to wait until Week 15. Last year, they could pop the corks in Week 10. This year, they will have reason to celebrate a week earlier as the NFL’s last undefeated team gets shocked in Week 9.

The Atlanta Falcons were 8-0, just like the Kansas City Chiefs are now, before losing at New Orleans in ’12. The Green Bay Packers made those old Dolphins sweat a lot more in ’11, going 13-0 before falling in Kansas City. Speaking of the Chiefs, it’s a reminder their record doesn’t make them a “perfect” team. (All times ET)

Chiefs QB Alex Smith (AP Photo)

Game of the Week

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (8:40 p.m. Monday, ESPN) There’s no reason for the Bears to worry too much about Josh McCown stepping in for Jay Cutler. Marc Trestman has built a diverse offense good enough for McCown to be an adequate athletic passer to keep the ball moving.

The bigger problem for them lies on defense, with Lance Briggs out and Charles Tillman still banged up. Before the bye, they had all kinds of issues trying to slow down the mobile QB/power back combination in Washington. There’s the rub vs. Aaron Rodgers, who just doesn’t lose to them at Lambeau Field, and who has strong, explosive rookie Eddie Lacy as his running mate. It’s a real leap to think Chicago can score with its better archrival without Cutler’s big arm. Packers 33, Bears 24

Game of Midweek

Miami Dolphins 22, Cincinnati Bengals 20. AFC Offensive Player of the Month Andy Dalton couldn't make it through Halloween without a frightful performance (three interceptions, lost fumble), and the last of his five sacks, by Dolphins premier pass rusher Cameron Wake, led to the rare walkoff safety in overtime by Miami. Although there were some positives for the Bengals, including some jaw-dropping running by rookie Giovani Bernard, there was one huge negative: the loss of dominant defensive tackle Geno Atkins to a torn ACL in his right knee. (The pick was: Bengals 24, Dolphins 14)

Ryans of the Week

New Orleans Saints at New York Jets (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX) As we expected, the hype around this game has centered around Jets’ outspoken head coach Rex Ryan and his brother, Saints unshaven defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Then you realize it’s Geno Smith vs. Drew Brees and Sean Payton vs. Marty Morninweg, too. The Jets will keep New Orleans grounded again, but Brees should love how the Jets' defense was lit up by Cincinnati’s versatile passing game. It’s Rob over Rex. Saints 27, Jets 13

Rivalry of the Week

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (4:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS) It’s time to give Tom Brady a break. You know the last time he was on pace for just 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions? It was 2001, when he helped the Patriots win the first of their three Super Bowls. Let’s keep mind that Ben Roethlisberger, who has two rings of his own, has the Steelers at 2-5 in 2013, the near reverse of Brady’s 6-2 Patriots. The Patriots adjust to win with their strengths, which at the moment, are rushing offense and pass defense. Brady is also 6-2 in his career against Pittsburgh, including playoffs. Patriots 33, Steelers 20 MORE: Father time catching Brady

Lock of the Week

Dallas Cowboys over Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX) Let’s relax on the Cowboys. They’re still 4-4 with three big division wins, so they’re still in control in the NFC East. That goes for you, too, Dez Bryant . He should just be able to chillax and give the cold shoulder to the Vikings’ reeling secondary with his size, strength, speed, etc. November is the money month for Tony Romo, and his warmup for the Thanksgiving feast begins here. Pretty sure the Vikings would love someone like Romo with their QB enigma. Cowboys 42, Vikings 14

Upset of the Week

Buffalo Bills over Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS) What, wait? The Chiefs just beat Case Keenum and Jason Campbell at home, and are looking at Thad Lewis , Jeff Tuel or Matt Flynn starting at quarterback. But those were also one-possession escapes, and this is on the road, before a bye and the big Broncos game in Week 11. Alex Smith hasn’t been great of late against better defenses, and after taking six sacks vs. Cleveland, guess who’s right behind KC with its pass rush? Buffalo.

The Bills struggle with teams that can stretch the field, but their fine front seven can squeeze on Smith and Jamaal Charles. They can also lean on some history. The Chiefs have lost five of the past six in this series, and haven’t won in Orchard Park since 1986. The hosts shock in a field-goal fest. Bills 19, Chiefs 16 MORE: Kiko Alonso's stellar year

Rest of the Week

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX) The Falcons’ freefall will continue here, because while the focus has been on their depleted receiving corps, it’s the offensive line, running game and run defense that are really crumbling. Guess who can stuff the run, rush the passer and pound them on the ground? The Panthers have found their formula, and it doesn’t hurt that they don’t like Atlanta much and Cam Newton can pick apart its secondary. Panthers 34, Falcons 14

San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS) It’ s a new Philip Rivers, and it’s not because he just became a father of seven . He is calmer, gentler and more effective under Mike McCoy, leading a stronger charge on the road. The Shanahans, meanwhile, have lost the Redskins’ offensive mojo, and Robert Griffin III hurt another knee right when it looked like he regained his. With a bonus “fall back”, Eastern time is not an issue for San Diego. Chargers 24, Redskins 20

Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS) Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams once teamed up to lead the Titans’ defense to the Super Bowl against the Rams. Williams is back in charge of that aggressive unit, while Fisher can boast a great pass rush in St. Louis. This sets up as one physical, ugly game, with a couple of big runs on the fast track making the difference. With Chris Johnson and Jake Locker, advantage Tennessee. There’s also bye vs. short week at play. Titans 17, Rams 16

Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland Raiders (4:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX) The last time Chip Kelly saw Terrelle Pryor quarterback in California, Pryor’s Ohio State Buckeyes beat Kelly’s Oregon Ducks, 26-17, in the 2010 Rose Bowl. The new Raiders QB was MVP of that game because of his running and passing— both of which will be problems for the Eagles’ defense. As far as Philly’s QB situation, it’s down to Nick Foles in the Black Hole , and that’s stepping into a trap. Raiders 17, Eagles 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (4:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX) The Seahawks will be worn down from their Monday night stand in St. Louis , so it won’t be the usual rout of a hapless opponent. The Bucs’ offense, starting with rookie Mike Glennon (Russell Wilson’s replacement at NC State) will still be overwhelmed by the Seahawks’ defense. It will just give Richard Sherman more trash-talk fodder in his “duel” with cornerback counterpart Darrelle Revis. Seahawks 30, Buccaneers 10

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (4:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS) The Ravens are trying to shake their Super Bowl hangover before it costs them a return trip to the playoffs. This is the ideal get-well game after a bye, as John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco have never lost to the Browns. Look for Baltimore to stuff the run and tee off on Jason Campbell, while Flacco will be happy to see Ray Rice back up and running. Welcome to November in the AFC North. Ravens 20, Browns 16

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (8:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC) The Texans, with just two wins, are putting their slim 2013 playoff chances in the hands of Case Keenum with an eye out for 2014. The Colts, also coming off a bye, begin their push for the Super Bowl armed with Andrew Luck. Luck aced his Sunday night debut against Denver, and without Reggie Wayne, will come out refocused to help Indy avoid the upset in a physical, defensive-minded game. Colts 23, Texans 20

Byes of the Week

Don’t sleep on the Arizona Cardinals (4-4) as an NFC wild-card team. When they come out of the week off, however, they need to have a much-improved Carson Palmer to have any shot at the playoffs.

The Denver Broncos (7-1) get some much-needed rest and tuneups at the halfway point. In case you were wondering, MVP front-runner Peyton Manning is on pace to pass for 5,838 yards and 58 touchdowns.

The only way to cool off Calvin Johnson is for the Detroit Lions (5-3) to have a well-deserved break after their near-miracle win over Dallas. They are back in the playoff form of 2011.

This year’s Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8) are trying to avoid the 0-16 fate of the 2008 Lions, and the first real crack at smashing the goose egg comes in Week 10 at Tennessee.

Here we go again. Right when we count out Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants (2-6) , they start winning a couple of games and creep back to relevancy. As they get healthier, anything can happen in the NFC East.

The San Francisco 49ers (6-2) are right where they should be as reigning NFC champions, within striking distance of both Seattle and New Orleans for the No. 1 seed. Remember, the second half is when the real Kaepernicking began in 2012.